Shofchim lecha nafsham, meche pish‘am vechachsham, veham'tzi’em m'chila, bish‘at hane‘ila.
Heye lahem lesitra, vehatzilem mim’era, vechotmem lehod ul'gila, bish‘at hane‘ila.
Chon otam verachem, vechol lochetz velochem, Oseh bahem p'lila, bish‘at hane‘ila.
K'ra na sh'nat ratzon, vehashev sh‘ar hatzon, le’Oholiva ve’Ohola, bish‘at hane‘ila.
Pouring out our soul we pray That the sentence Thou wilt write Shall be one of pardoned sin, As Thy gates are closed this night.
God, our refuge strong and sure, Rescue us from dreadful plight; Seal our destiny for joy, As Thy gates are closed this night.
Grant us favor, show us grace; But of all who wrest the right And oppress, be Thou the judge, As Thy gates are closed this night.
[17] The melody for El Nora Alila is generally sprightly,[18] as is much of the Ne'ilah service, deliberately, coming at the end of a 25-hour fast, when the congregants are probably feeling fatigue and weakness.